The final link to the Super Bowl era for the Denver Broncos is reportedly going to hang up his cleats. Tom Nalen, the 218th players selected in the 1994 NFL Draft will reportedly call it quits, with the official announcment due any day.
Nalen, who was originally drafted when Wade Phillips was Head Coach of the Broncos, was the corner-stone of an offensive line that helped the Broncos win two World Championships and lead several offensive categories during his tenure.
With Nalen snapping the ball, the Broncos posted the most rushing yards (29,131) and most individual 100-yard rushing games (93) in the NFL since 1995 while tying for the most individual 1,000-yard rushing seasons (11) in the league during that period. Nalen's 5 Pro Bowls are the most ever for a Broncos lineman.
Nalen's lines also allowed the 3rd fewest sacks since 1995.
Nalen will retire ranked 3rd third all-time among Broncos players with 194 games played. He also ranks second all-time among Broncos players with 188 career games started.
While Nalen has yet to file his paperwork with the League, he has reportedly started the process. Just like Nalen, who rarely spoke in public, no formal annoucement from the future Ring of Famer is expected. Nails wouldn't have it any other way.